Local grant programs: Community Enrichment awards $610,000; Urban Enterprise Association opens 2025 grant cycle
Loading...
Summary
The Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation reported distributing about $610,000 to more than 40 projects; the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association opened its 2025 grant cycle with business and residential improvement grants.
Two local grant programs detailed plans and results for 2025 during the Michigan City Common Council meeting on March 4: the Community Enrichment Corporation reported its annual awards and the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association announced a new grant cycle.
Ron Miller, president of the Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation, told the council the board received 63 project applications requesting about $1.25 million and awarded just over $610,000 to 44 or 45 organizations in the most recent cycle. He said the corporation reserves a small cushion for administrative needs and unexpected expenses and later added roughly $30,000 to fund additional projects. Miller described the original operating agreement with Blue Chip Casino (now Boyd Gaming) that provides the foundation of the Enrichment Corporation’s annual funding and said the first $100,000 of the casino contribution is directed to the zoo under the original agreement.
Miller invited council members to the corporation’s awards banquet on March 20 at Blue Chip and said the board will return to regular monthly meetings; he also asked that the council reappoint Stacy Benning to another three-year term on the board.
The Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association, represented by Dakota Euler, announced the launch of the 2025 grant cycle for businesses and homeowners in the Urban Enterprise Zone. Business assistance grants will reimburse 50% of eligible costs up to a $7,500 maximum and can be used for exterior or interior improvements, signage, machinery and equipment. Residential improvement grants can reimburse up to 100% of eligible costs (subject to income limits and funding tiers) for essential safety and appearance projects such as roofing, siding and electrical upgrades. The MCU EA also introduced a new DIY-material reimbursement for 50% of materials on approved projects and said neighborhood improvement and workforce-development grant programs will be announced later in 2025.
Both presenters emphasized competitive review processes and encouraged eligible applicants to consult online application materials. Miller said the Enrichment Corporation upgraded its application process to an online portal and that each board member reviews and scores every application prior to deliberation.
